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A re-elected Liberal Government will support a $110 million investment in a dedicated live export loading berth at Kwinana, Premier Colin Barnett revealed today.

Plan will end the transport of sheep and cattle through Fremantle

Construction of new facility to create 100 jobs

Design will allow for the largest livestock carriers in the world

Mr Barnett said the new facility, to be funded from the proceeds of the partial sale of Western Power, would be built close to Fremantle Ports’ Kwinana Bulk terminal.

“This will be a world-class dedicated livestock and fodder loading system that will quickly and efficiently turn ships around in the minimum of time, an important factor for the viability of our sheep and cattle producers,” Mr Barnett said.

“A Liberal Government will work with industry to foster joint investment in the new facility to ensure it best meets industry needs.”

The Premier also said the new facility would end the need to move sheep and cattle trucks through Fremantle to the north quay, overcoming community concern about noise, dust and smell.

It would also allow Fremantle to capitalise on its growing attraction as a cruise ship destination and free up the use of berths 1 and 2 at the mouth of the Fremantle Port inner harbour.

“The provision of infrastructure is an essential role for Government in ensuring WA’s agricultural producers are as efficient and productive as possible.

Agriculture Minister Mark Lewis said the Liberal-led Government had always been a strong supporter of the live export trade, recognising that WA markets demand high-quality, disease free and humanely produced and shipped livestock.

“While chilled meat products are appropriate for some markets, many of the world’s most populous countries, which have the greatest need for meat, do not have a well-developed refrigerated distribution network,” Mr Lewis said.

“These countries represent big opportunities for WA livestock producers and a Liberal-led Government supports them in supplying live sheep and cattle to these markets. High quality, well- located infrastructure is vital for an efficient live export trade.”

The preferred site is adjacent to the existing marine infrastructure at Kwinana Bulk Terminal and Kwinana Bulk Jetty which will be able to utilise part of these structures for truck access to the livestock export facility.

It is envisioned that the final design will be for a new large long loading dock with a design water depth of 12.65m metres and a large truck turning apron to allow for the most efficient livestock truck fanning and the largest livestock carriers in the world.

Mr Lewis said the Liberal-led Government had made big investments in infrastructure to improve agricultural productivity. This included major improvements to grain freight routes and commodities roads across the State, agricultural irrigation projects, Doppler radars and the $70 million expansion of the Busselton Margaret River Airport which would provide opportunities for agricultural air freight.

Fact File

Approximately 68 livestock ships now berth at Fremantle every year.

In 2014-15 live cattle exports were valued at $236.7 million; live sheep exports at $192.2 million.

In 2015-16 1.8 million livestock were exported from Fremantle, with 2 million forecast for 2016-17.

Western Australia’s robust biosecurity systems play a critical role maintaining the

State’s reputation for producing healthy livestock and ensuring that our livestock are ‘fit to trade’

A re-elected Liberal Government will make housing for seniors more affordable.

Premier Colin Barnett said the centrepiece of the reform package was a seniors stamp duty concession of up to $15,000 for new and established homes up to the value of $750,000, saving money for more than 4000 seniors aged over 65 years.

Under the plan, eligible seniors would pay no stamp duty on property worth up to $440,000 and the tax would be roughly halved on a property valued at $750,000.

There would also be a duty concession of up to $10,000 for a vacant lot, valued at up to $400,000.

The plan complements the First Home Owner Grant Scheme and changes to Keystart announced earlier this year by stimulating the provision of more housing.

“This concession is designed to provide maximum flexibility and support to seniors pursuing their downsizing options,” Mr Barnett said. “I think it is important to support seniors in choosing housing that better suits their needs.”

The initiative will also include a requirement for the eligible senior to sell their existing home.

As part of a broader package of reform to age-friendly housing, a Liberal Government would also;

Double the budget for the Seniors Housing Advisory Centre (SHAC) to deliver a significantly enhanced one-stop-shop for those wanting independent, expert and free advice on housing options;

Transfer the Advisory Centre from Department of Commerce to the Department of Local Government and Communities, creating a direct line of reporting to the Minister for Seniors;

Open the opportunity for local community groups such as sports clubs, church groups and multicultural groups located on Crown land, to submit proposals to develop surplus land for age-friendly accommodation;

21 February 2017

Fact File

The concession would be introduced for two years from the start of 2018

Demand for age-friendly accommodation is forecast to grow substantially over the next few years

There will be no excuse for exceeding the 40km school zone speed limit with the Liberal led Government’s completion of its project to install solar powered, flashing 40km signs at every eligible West Australian school.

The last sign to be installed in the Cottesloe Electorate, at North Fremantle Primary School, will be finished at the end of Term 1.

The school signs are highly visible and display the 40km/hr speed limit during the nominated school morning and afternoon period.

The $36 million project has been another election commitment delivered by my government to ensure the ongoing safety of students as they come and go from school.

Our children are our most vulnerable road users and while every motorist is responsible for ensuring their safety, these signs also help people slow down around our schools.

‘Over 16 schools across the Cottesloe Electorate have benefitted from this program, at a cost of $40,000 per school.’

In a major coup for Western Australia, the eyes of the international sporting world
were on Perth as Roger Federer returned to competition at the Hopman Cup after almost six months’ recuperation from a knee injury.

At Cottesloe Beach I met the 17-time Grand Slam champion and welcomed him back to Western Australia.

Football (soccer) is played by more than 200,000 men, women, boys and girls in Western Australia. It is arguably the most-played team sport in WA, and yet is the only major sport in the State that does not have a dedicated administration and training facility.

The Liberal-led Government has worked closely with Football West over the past year on a business case for a new State Football Centre. Fast Facts

• Football West has over 44,000 registered players across 238 clubs, with more than 230,000 participants playing the game across Western Australia.

• There are more than 32,000 registered junior players.

• 13 per cent of registered players are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

• 15 per cent of players are women, which is an indication of the growing popularity of the sport.

• The Liberal-led Government spent $500,000 on an upgraded pavilion for the Northern Redbacks Women’s Soccer Club at Balga’s Celebration Park for new women’s change rooms, storage space and associated club amenities.

Our Commitment A Liberal Government will commit $37 million to build a State Football Centre at Ashfield Reserve. The centre will include:

• A small boutique grandstand to stage events for up to 4,000 spectators (with 700 permanent seats). • Two floodlit playing fields (at least one synthetic).

• A main building housing the administration of Football West and an A League tenant (such as Perth Glory).

• Player amenities including change rooms, a gymnasium and a sport science component to support junior and high performance development programs and A-League training.

The State Football Centre will lay the foundations for a strong competition at all levels and ultimately feed into State, National and International competitions. The State Football Centre will support junior and high performance development programs, the State competitions and Perth Glory training. The A-League competition matches would remain at nib Stadium along with international fixtures.

This commitment will provide a dedicated football facility to host key local, State League and National Premier League matches, W-League games, and women’s internationals and also provide a centre of excellence for talented junior players. It will enable Football West to improve development and pathway opportunities for all young players in WA and provide improved administrative facilities to enable Football West to increase its efficiency in delivering support to clubs, players and volunteers. High quality playing facilities will provide enhanced match-day experiences for community clubs.

The training facilities will support international matches to be played at the Perth Stadium and nib Stadium and ensure the broader community will be able to experience and engage with international sides training at the facility. It is expected to improve Football West’s long-term sustainability, recognising the growth of the game in WA. The funding includes around $4 million to upgrade playing pitches at nearby Jubilee Reserve for local community use and local sports.